Meet the newest additions to the Giants' roster

June 19, 2013 2:27 PM

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The Giants roster looks a little different lately. MVPs from the NLCS and World Series are now hoody’d spectators lining the dugout rails during games. All the team can do is wait on the culprits: Scutaro’s pinky and Vogey’s hand, Pablo’s foot, Pagan’s hammy and Casilla’s knee.
But a hurt team needs help and can’t wait. Newly called up this month are a bunch of rookies, near-rookies and other unproven talent mostly unknown to fans. Some are future prospects making early debuts; others are longtime minors players hoping for a chance to stick in the big leagues.
Whoever they are, they could factor big in the Giants performance over the next month. Whether they prove to be Band-Aids or long term additions, it’s worth taking some time to get to know our latest batch of callups. less

The Giants roster looks a little different lately. MVPs from the NLCS and World Series are now hoody’d spectators lining the dugout rails during games. All the team can do is wait on the culprits: Scutaro’s ... more

Juan Perez
Age: 26
Position: CF, LF, RF, 2B, SS, 3B
From: Santiago, Dominican Republic
He’s an older rookie—drafted by the Giants in 2008—probably too old to be called a “prospect.” He caught a few eyes in spring training for his defense, but mostly played under the radar.
But once he was called up in early June, he got noticed in a hurry, producing a dazzling highlight for his first play in the majors: a running, crashing catch in Arizona to rob extra bases from Giant-killer Paul Goldschmidt. Since then, he’s put himself on opponents’ radar with some stellar outfield assists.
He reportedly worked with his father as a plumber for years while playing in a semi-pro league in New York, trying to get noticed. His spot on the team could be in question when Pagan comes off the DL, though since Perez can play any outfield spot—as well as any infield spot, aside from first—he could be a frontrunner for a backup/bench spot if he continues to impress. less

Juan Perez
Age: 26
Position: CF, LF, RF, 2B, SS, 3B
From: Santiago, Dominican Republic
He’s an older rookie—drafted by the Giants in 2008—probably too old to be called a “prospect.” He caught a ... more

Tony Abreu
Age: 28
Position: 2B, 3B (bats switch)
From: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
The switch hitting infielder started as a Dodgers prospect in 2002 (he was only 18). But he’s yet to catch fire in the majors and make good on the potential scouts saw in him. After failing to meet the Dodgers’ expectations, he spent time with the Dbacks and Marlins.
He was picked up by the Giants in the winter to be the primary backup behind Marco Scutaro, filling the roster spot left by Ryan Theriot. But Abreu started the season for the Giants on the DL. Unable to play much at all during Spring Training due to quadriceps injuries, surprise standout Nick Noonan got the spot backing Scutaro. less

Nick Noonan
Age: 24
Position: 2B
From: Poway, CA
He was the Giants’ first round pick back in 2007: an all-over infield talent with the ability to play second, short and third; a high-average, lower-power hitter.
His spot was by no means guaranteed heading into Spring Training, but a hot streak in Scottsdale carried him on to the opening day roster. He only had a few starts in April, and after struggling as a pinch hitter through May was sent down to the minors—then brought right back up when Sandoval went on the DL earlier this month.
Just for a moment, he had his first home run in Pittsburgh. Once it was (correctly) ruled a double following a look at the replay, Noonan trotted out to second base with a grin. “Who invented that anyway?” he’d say of Instant Replay after the game. less

Nick Noonan
Age: 24
Position: 2B
From: Poway, CA
He was the Giants’ first round pick back in 2007: an all-over infield talent with the ability to play second, short and third; a high-average, ... more

Jake Dunning
Age: 24
Position: Relief Pitcher (throws right)
From: Fort Stewart, GA
Drafted as a shortstop by the Giants in 2009, he quickly transitioned to pitching and found it a good fit. He’s been strong this year for the Fresno Grizzlies, posting a 1.75 ERA and better than a 3-to-1 strikeout/walk ratio. He is a fastball pitcher with a slider/changeup offspeed repertoire.
Nothing hits fans’ nerves quite as hard as watching a rookie pitch for the first time. Worse, his debut was in ESPN's nationally televised Sunday game of the week, so the tremor in his hands when he rubbed up the baseball was seen by millions in hi-def.
His second appearance was no less tense. Entering the game in the 13th on Monday with one out and the bases loaded, Dunning recorded two outs but walked in a run. less

Jake Dunning
Age: 24
Position: Relief Pitcher (throws right)
From: Fort Stewart, GA
Drafted as a shortstop by the Giants in 2009, he quickly transitioned to pitching and found it a good fit. He’s been ... more

Sandy Rosario
Age: 28
Position: Relief Pitcher (throws right)
From: Salcedo, Dominican Republic
He was called up in the hope that he’ll eat up middle innings better than George Kontos, who has struggled in 2013, with a 5.76 ERA in 31 appearances this year. A Marlin for the last three years, Rosario has never stayed on a big league roster for more than 5 games.
He is a fastball-slider-changeup-curve pitcher who gave up two home runs in his first three pitches in the majors. But he’s done well in Fresno this year, with a 1.24 WHIP in nine games. And he pitched 2 and 1/3 scoreless innings in the Giants’ 13 inning loss to the Padres on Monday, striking out his last two batters with a man on third in the 11th.
He was a hot potato in the offseason, claimed off waivers and then released by the Red Sox, then the Athletics, then the Red Sox again, then the Cubs, and finally the Giants. less

Sandy Rosario
Age: 28
Position: Relief Pitcher (throws right)
From: Salcedo, Dominican Republic
He was called up in the hope that he’ll eat up middle innings better than George Kontos, who has ... more

Back again: Hector Sanchez
Age: 23
Position: Catcher
From: Maracay, Venezuela
Okay, he's not a new face. The youngest call-up for the Giants this month is the most familiar, and has the most playing time with the team. Sanchez remains a developing player for the Giants. He’s spent a lot of 2013 in AAA, racking up the at bats he needed after missing most of spring training with shoulder and calf injuries.
Now called up as the team’s third catcher, there is some uncertainty about where he and veteran Guillermo Quiroz will fit on the roster behind Posey. less

Back again: Hector Sanchez
Age: 23
Position: Catcher
From: Maracay, Venezuela
Okay, he's not a new face. The youngest call-up for the Giants this month is the most familiar, and has the most playing time ... more